iPads for Kindergartners: Experts Applaud District's Decision

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Move over, finger paint. A school district in Maine recently
approved a $200,000 initiative that would give each of its 285
kindergarten students a new hands-on tool: Their very own iPad 2.

In what they are calling "a revolution in education," the Auburn,
Maine, school district will be bringing the $499 Apple tablet
devices into kindergarten
classrooms starting in the fall with the aim of increasing
literacy rates from 62 percent to 90 percent.

This isn't the first time Maine has become an early tech adopter
in its educational systems. In 2002, it became the first state to
give out laptop computers to its middle school students and later
expanded the program to high schoolers as a part of a move to
boost literacy.

Some critics have blasted the iPad plan — saying the school
district should not putting high-tech hardware in the hands of
kindergartners and that they shouldn't be investing a large sum
of money, especially amid budget cuts that could take away
teacher instruction.

"We received some
concern from individuals mainly about the developmental age
in kids using this type of technology and the cost of it all,"
school district superintendent Tom Morrill told iPadNewsDaily.
"However, we also received great comments and feedback from all
over the world from supporters and experts saying that the device
is indeed instrumental in helping young children learn,
especially with special education students, people with speech
issues and other learning challenges."

"Overall, we think we're going to make some remarkable
discoveries and believe this is the next-step
tool in helping literacy."

Child development experts indeed believe that iPads are exactly
what could help young students better learn in the classroom.

"We lose a lot of kids through the education system over time,”
said Sandra Calvert, a professor and director of the Children's
Digital Media Center at Georgetown University.

"If you start them young with innovative technology and keep them
engaged, it's the way to go. There will be some changes in how
teachers will go about incorporating these new platforms, but
overall, it will be a very profound tool if used properly."

One of the major challenges teachers face is catering content to
each student in a classroom filled with different skill levels.
With the help of educational software on the iPad 2, teachers can
oversee and pick programs and levels based on the skills a
student needs.

"The
iPad 2 can cater specifically to each child's needs,
strengths and weaknesses, and that has tremendous potential for
improving the overall learning experience," Calvert said.

However, Calvert stressed that technology like this should not
replace or undermine the importance of a good teacher.

"There's a human emotional response that is a part of learning,
too," Calvert said. "Kids develop relationships with teachers and
there is a sense of warmth and encouragement that comes with
that, too. Computers can be fun and engaging, but it's not the
same experience as interacting with a real person."

Superintendent Morrill said that people shouldn’t fear that the
new iPad implementation will replace teachers in the future.

"The human element will never leave the formula because education
is still a human business," Morrill said. "This will just provide
an opportunity to spend more focus time on developing projects,
helping students overcome certain challenges and give teachers
new ways to custom teach."

How young is too young?

Although Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania welcomed
incoming students with new iPads last year and middle school
students in parts of Singapore have traded school books for
e-books read on the iPad, this will be one of the first times
students at such a young age in U.S. will be given the high-tech
devices.

But some believe people of any age, especially kindergartners,
are good candidates to use the iPad 2, which is even (as of
today) now available for purchase at
Toys R Us.

"Kindergartners are not too young for the iPad — in fact, it's an
ideal platform for them," Calvert said. "This age group can use
their hands, grow fine motor skills and not have to worry about
moving a mouse as they would on a traditional desktop computer.
Since an iPad is so light and intuitive to use, their focus can
be on the educational content and not the hardware."

The device also allows kids to practice
certain skills, such as identifying certain letters and
colors.

However, superintendent Morrill said that the devices will not be
used in place of other hands-on skills that are critical in the
development process.

"Kids still need to jump in and get dirty," Morrill said. "They
need to paint and do fine-motor activities, as well as sing,
dance and share stories. We're not going to be replacing these
acitivities. We're only talking about integration."

Allison Druin, author of "Mobile Technology for Children:
Designing for Interaction and Learning" (Morgan Kaufmann
Publishers, 2009) agrees that the tablet is well-suited for this
age range.

"Kids are used to growing up in a technology age, so they will
know how to handle it," Druin said. "The iPod Touch is similar in
that it can be used with kids at a young age, but when creating
something rather than just consuming information, it’s harder to
do so on smaller screens."

Challenges ahead

Like any other tool, if used effectively and appropriately, there
are endless opportunities, according to Cynthia Edwards, a
professor of psychology at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C.

"It's not going to solve every educational dilemma and will
definitely create a new set of challenges — such as trying to
keep kids focused on what you want them to do — but overall, this
is a very good thing," Edwards said.

Calvert of Georgetown University also noted that the quality of
the apps the children use will also help determine the success of
the pilot of program in Maine.

"If the right software is selected, young children will be
entering the educational sphere with such enthusiasm and
excitement," Calvert said. "However, if the software is boring
and dry, a child will lose interest."

Druin, an associate dean for research at University of Maryland's
information school, said she thinks the outcome of the Maine
initiative could have implications for whether or not similar
programs crop up around the country.

"Mobile technology is the wave of the future, so you can either
try to fight it or figure out ways to use it to the best
advantage," Druin said.